Disclaimer:: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus or its characters. They are the property of Rick Riorden, and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.
The matching ceremony was in one month and 18 year old Percy was not excited. Most of the other children he had grown up with were more than ready to find out who their pair bond would be, they had spent the months coming up to it gossiping about who everyone would end up with. The most popular speculation was that he would be paired with Annabeth; the librarian's daughter. He couldn't see why anyone would think that. She was an intellectual and spent all her time reading and learning. Percy hated to read, he much preferred doing things with his hands. Not that Annabeth would have been so horrible; she was kind enough, Percy would even consider her one of his closest friends, but he didn't have any romantic feelings for her. Percy actually had no interest in any of the girls in his year, and he had no interest in spending his life with someone he didn't choose. Unfortunately, as a commoner it was his lot in life. Only nobility could choose their own mate. Percy didn't think it was fair, but as his mother often reminded him life sometimes wasn't fair. There were worse lives than theirs, she would remind him, and they were lucky for what they did have. His Mother had always been the sweetest women, and somehow always managed to stay optimistic.
His neighbor and friend, Jason, told him to trust the system; mates were chosen based on personality and ability tests administered the week before, the results were used to match each citizen with their perfect match. Success rates were very high and most people found themselves happy with their pair bond. Percy's friend was a good example; he had been paired last year and was madly in love with his pair bond Piper. Percy dressed quickly and headed out the door; if he was late for work again he was going to get an earful from the blacksmith.
Prince Nico wasn't looking forward to the matching ceremony either. He was 16 this year and as heir to the throne it would be his job to help the elders during the ceremony by officiating the bonds. Each citizen aged 18 would be bonded with their life mates. There was no pressure or awkward encounters, no courting or need to impress. Commoners had it easy. Nico sighed as he clipped on his sword. His parents were already pressuring him to begin courting one of the ladies in the court, even thou he had two years before he needed to be married. Unfortunately he had no interest in any of the ladies at court. They were shallow and their tongues were as sharp as their claws. And if he was completely honest, he wasn't physically attracted to even one of them. Nico headed down to the courtyard where he would be training with The Guard and tried to push the ceremony out of his mind. Because he wasn't willing to admit the real reason he was dreading this year's ceremony: this was the year his love would be paired, and once paired there's no getting out of it.
Percy wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and continued to hammer the sword he was fixing. It was hard and hot work, apprenticing with the blacksmith, but he enjoyed the physical labor and he was lucky to have a job. Work was scarce in the village these days, and many of the men and women in his year were without any at all. Most of their parents were losing jobs they had held for years. He threw the sword in the water to cool it and leaned back against the table for a rest. He had been working with the blacksmith Chiron for almost two years now and the older man often told Percy he had a natural talent. More often than not Chiron left Percy to his work without reserve or worry. Percy's sword and armor were the most sought after in the land, even thou no one knew it was his work. Chiron said as soon as he finished his apprenticeship he would give the boy the credit he deserved, but for now he must pay his dues. Percy didn't blame him, he may be young but he was wise enough to know no one would buy swords and armor made by a child. When the sword was cooled he pulled it out and gave it a swing to test the balance. He gripped the handle and spun it twice. He loved the feel of a blade in his hand. Forgetting himself momentarily he lunged into some maneuvers, his sword sliding and gliding through the air. He was so entranced he didn't hear the bell ring as a customer walked in.
Nico called out for Chiron, but there was no response. The Prince moved through the shop, broken shield in hand, looking for the blacksmith. If he hadn't been so distracted today he wouldn't be in this mess. He paused at the door to the backroom and watched for a minute as the blacksmith's apprentice swung the sword around. His posture and technique was flawless, his footwork like choreography. The older boy was wearing a thin tunic and Nico could see his muscles coil and roll. His messy black hair was damp from sweat and hung in his eyes. Even thou they were closed he knew they would be shinning blue green like the ocean on a bright summers day. He shook his head to focus and cleared his throat to get his attention. The boy spun, sword in hand, and swung at the intruder. Nico raised his broken shield and the sword made contact. His shield shattered with a loud crack, the pieces dropping to the floor. The apprentice dropped his sword and stared in horror. His eyes wide with horror had clouded like dark waters. He almost just killed the Young Prince.